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The Story of You

My arms tingle as I exhale for the final time. Stillness surrounds me, no movement, no thought. Words on a page a blunt instrument with which to describe the state of nothingness within the dark void that my mind had drifted into.

Strange that I could comprehend these thoughts, but as my master had often said – all is possible with sufficient retrospection.

A vibration, so subtle, like a rumor, sounded within the ether. My signal to return. I allowed my consciousness to fall into the rhythm of the wave oscillating within the nothingness. The wave gently carries me through ever increasing streams back to the main river of consciousness. Simultaneously for the briefest of moments I was all and I was one.

A sound. I smiled, for once more my master had caught me hesitating in my return back from eternity and into reality. I opened my eyes and immediately saw the gleaming joyful eyes of Master Yonten, my guide.

“Welcome back young one. What have you learned on your journey this time?”

I stare for sometime as I collect my thoughts about the lesson I had learned whilst in eternity.

“Master, I have learned about stories.” My statement sounded very matter of fact I realized even though a shiver of emotion ran through my body as I spoke the words. I waited for a response to my words but silence was my reply.

“Master, I did not realize until now the importance of the story of You.” I shuffle slightly as I sit, knowing that my words are inadequate.

“Master, I realize now that every human being that has ever lived has had to overcome obstacles. Also, it doesn’t matter what the obstacle was or how others might judge its significance. What matters is that in the mind and in the heart of the individual the obstacle was real and it posed a challenge.” I search my master’s eyes seeking reassurance for my understanding. But still I am unsure.

“Master, every human being that has ever lived!” I repeat almost questioningly.

“Or ever will live young one, do not forget that. Obstacles are a necessary ingredient in life for they allow us to grow.” Master Yonten’s eyes gleamed as he spoke as if the subject sparked something deep inside him.

“Yes Master, I see that now. I have been so focused on all the obstacles that I must face each day that I forgot everyone else was in the same position.” I bow my head as a sense of remorse washes over me. My master clears his throat and I raise my eyes once more to face him.

“Of course everyone is in the same position young one, for they are all just another you.”

I nod at my master’s wisdom and the truth behind his words.

“Master, I have just grasped something else. Something important I think.” Now it was my eyes that gleamed as a spark lit deep inside me as well.

“Of course you have young one. Please tell me what have you discovered?”

“I understand now that every person that is alive today and every person that has ever or will ever live has a magnificent story to tell. For surely overcoming obstacles is the key ingredient in all of the greatest stories ever told is it not?” I looked excitedly at my master.

“You are correct young one, all do have a magnificent story to tell.”

“But what if nobody wants to listen to the magnificent story? What if it remains untold.” My brow creased as I considered the sadness behind the implication of my words.

“That cannot happen young one.” My master said calmly.

“How can we avoid it? Who will tell the story? Who will listen?” I tried to match my master calmness but failed.

“There is only one answer to that young one. There only ever has been one answer to that and only ever will be one answer to that.”

“What is the answer Master? Who will tell the story, who will listen?” My voice pitched higher in my eagerness to know the answer.

“You will.” Master Yonten’s reply was blunt as if it was self evident. It left me confused.

“Me? But how, I am only one being among billions of beings?” My eyes widened as I considered the implications of the task.

“You misunderstand me young one. When I say you, I am not speaking to you, I am speaking to the ALL.”

“The ALL Master? What do you mean?”

“Young one, it is wise of you to ask the question of who will tell and who will listen. The answer is as it has always been.” My master paused then as his eyes became unfocused. I had the impression that he was speaking to me but also beyond me simultaneously.

“You, yes You, you have a magnificent story to tell full of courage, tenacity and boldness and the most important person you should tell that story to is none other than – Yourself.” Master Yonten remained still as his words flowed into me. They resonated deep inside and I could instantly see their truth. It was a truth that lifted my soul.

“Master, you are right, my life’s journey has been punctuated by obstacles consistently. Some obstacles were easy, others were life threatening, but all obstacles were life changing, I see that now.” My master remained silent as I spoke, but I knew he was listening to my words.

“Master, I feel something different, deep inside. As I’ve been remembering the obstacles I’ve faced and overcome I have heard it. As I understand the magnificence of my own story the sound I hear inside grows louder. It is wonderful, a sound so pure and full of love. Master I think I know what that sound is.” I paused and returned to silence as I tuned myself into the sound.

I understood intuitively what the sound was. It was the soundtrack to my own magnificent story of obstacles overcome. I looked back at my master and smiled, eager to tell him what I was hearing.

“Master, the sound that I hear. It is the sound of my soul singing and it is the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my life.”

My master smiled as I spoke, a knowing expression on his face.

“Ah young one, I am overjoyed for you. You have learned one of the ways to hear your song. Whenever you feel the need to hear it again, especially at times when you face new obstacles, just listen to your own magnificent story. The story of You.”

Thanks Vicki, yes it is true, there’s not a person on the planet that couldn’t have their own story turned into an incredible Hollywood blockbuster. But too often we forget or feel insignificant. Remembering everything we have achieved in our lives is, as you say important to remind us of who and what we are. Thanks for reading!

So happy you wrote this and in the way you did. Such a great experience reading it.

Once I had someone a very snooty mean woman tell me . . .
“you don’t know my life has been insane, it could be a movie, so if anyone deserves this I do.”

I told her, “I’m sure you it could but so does that person, ” (pointed to a random person) “and that person, and him too. Maybe you need to humbly recognize we all do. Try being kind instead of a braggart, and self entitled.”

Thanks so much Honua & thanks for sharing your story, it’s a perfect representation of one of the angles of the post. We all have a great story to tell – if we all recognize this in ourselves and in the others that we meet everyday we are all brought a little closer together and all made happier as a result. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my post and for your feedback. In honor of your own great story, thank you.